Beer return device



-N0v.21,1939. C. HQRANSKY ET AL y 2,180,828

BEER RETURN DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY 5 Nov.21, 1939. l HORANSKY ET AL 2,180,828

BEER RETURN DEVICE Filed Aug. 19', 1958 2 sheets-sheet 2 8 ATTORNEYPatented Nov. 21, 1,939

BEER RETURN DEVICE.

Charles Horansky and Frank J. suchanek, f New York, N. Y.

Application August 19, 1938, Serial No. 225,738

s claims.

This invention relates tonew and useful improvements in a beer returnldevice.

The invention has for an object the construction of a device asmentioned which is adapted to be connected witha beer faucet toefficiently return the beer from the cooling coils back into the beerbarrel.

More speccally, the device is characterized by a body having an airinlet at one side for connection with a source of compressed air, and anair outlet at another side for `connection with a beer faucet, and anarrangement forqcontrolling the compressed air as desired.

More specifically, the invention'proposes the arrangement of a valveseat for the air inlet,

positioned to the front of the air outlet, a spring loaded Valve on theseat, and a novel mechanism to counteract the load on the spring-loadedValve to a predetermined degree. v

Another object of the invention resides in providing va quick releasemechanism for the counteracting mechanism controlled by a bleed from theair outlet.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, referfaucet.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational View of the'extreme end ofthe apparatus by which the beer return device is attached to the beerfaucet, a portion of this figure being broken away to disclose interiorparts.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational view looking in the direction of theline 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionalview of the control mechanism shown inFig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig, 4:.r

Fig. 6 is' a. transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View taken on the line 'I-'Iof Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of a beer return device constructedaccording to a modification of this invention.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 lFigl 10`is atransverse sectional view taken on the line Ill-ID of Fig. 9.

Fig. 1l is a fragmentary enlarged sectional View taken on the line II-II of Fig. 8.

The beer return device, according to this invention, includes a body I0having an inlet `II at one side for connection with a source of corn-`pressed Aair and an outlet I2 at another side for connection with arbeerfaucet.- A pipe connector I3 (see Figs. 1 and 3) is engaged in the airinlet IIL This pipe connector is adapted to receive .a hose I3a from acompressed air supply I3b. A pipe I4 (see Figs. 1 and 3) is engaged intothe air outlet I2. This pipe 'I4 connects with a T-connection I5 whichhas lugs I6 engaged by screws Il by which it is secured to a panel I8.This panel is mounted upon a counter bar I9 of a beer establishment.

A pressure gauge 20 is connected with one of the arms of theT-connection I5. The other arm of the `Tconnection is provided with ahose 2l. This hose terminates in an air cock 22 connected with a faucetadapter 23. The faucet adapter includes a hollow body upon the outer endof which a ring 24 is threadedly engaged. A rubber adapter 25 isdisposed within the hollow body and clamped down by the ring 24. y Thebody 23 is provided with several lugs 26 by which it may be manuallygrasped. This adapter may be forced upon a beer faucet, such `as thefaucet 2l. 'Ihe'beer faucet is connected with a cooling coil 28 in turnconnected with a pipe 29, `which in turn connects with the beer barrel30. The beer barrel is provided with the conventional lair pressure/hose 3l for a supply of compressed air from storage tank 3la to providethe necessary pressure to cause the beer to come up throughthe' pipe-29and out of the faucet. yThe purpose of the beer return device is toforce all the beer back into the beer barrel. This is necessary atcertain times, as when it is desired to return the beer left in thecooling coil at night, into `the barrel, to s ave vthe same, or to cleanthe system, etc. y K.

\ .The body I0 is formed With a valve' seat 32 for the air inlet IIwhich is positioned to the front -of the air. outlet I2. A spring loadedvalve 33 is :cooperative with the Valveseat 32. This Valve 33 isslidably mounted within a cylindrical cavity 34 formedin one end 'of thebody I0. A cap 35 is threadedly engaged on a portion of the body I0 andextends across the valve 33. A spring 36 is for urging the valve uponits seat. A washer 3l is interposed between the cap 35 and the body lfor producing a hermetic seal.

A diaphragm 38 is mounted within the body I3 and particularly within acavity 39 formed in the body. Several pins 4D are slidably mountedthrough small passages 4l formed in the body l5 and bear against thefront side of the valve 33 (see particularly Fig. '7) These pins areadapted to open the valve when moved inwards. Each of the pins lill isprovided with a head 42 which bears against the diaphragm 38. The body Iis formed with a passage 43 extending from the air outlet l2 to thecavity 39; that is, to the pin side of the diaphragm.

An adjustable spring loaded mechanism is provided ior the other side ofthe diaphragm V38. This mechanism includes a cup shaped member 44resting against the diaphragm and slidably mounted and forming a supportfor an expansion spring 45. This expansion spring engages against a stem45 which is threadedly engaged upon a nut element 4l which in turn isthreadedly mounted on the body l0. Alock nut 48 threadedly engages thestem 45 and abuts against the nut element 4l for holding the stem 35 invarious adjusted positions.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The spring 35 urges the valve 33 closed under a constant pressure. Thecompressed air from the air inlet l I is restrained by the valve 33. Thetension of the spring 36 may be counteracted by the action of the spring45. The action of the latter spring may be controlled by the stem 45.The stern 46 may be screwed inwards or screwed voutwards and locked inany adjusted position. This will result in changing the tension of thespring 45 which is communicated indirectly to the valve 33, via the pins4B. A change of tension on the spring 45 will result incounter-balancing the spring 36 to any desired degree. For example, thespring 36 normally may require 50 pounds of air pressure before thevalve opens. By a proper control of the spring 45 this may be cut downto 40 pounds of pressure, .or 30 pounds, as required.

It is possible to obtain the proper air pressure for causing the returnof beer from the faucet 2l, back to the barrel 3G. It should be borne inmind that the barrel 30`contains an air pressure and therefore it isrequired that a higher air pressure be provided to cause the return ofthe beer. At the same time this pressure must not be too high since itWill act back through the pipe 3l and against the pressure in this pipe,which is objectionable. The construction permits a proper selection or"pressure.

The panel I8 is formed with an opening I8a into which the cap 35projects. Thus the cap 35 is protected against being tampered with, asit is required that it be tight at all times.

The flow of air through the device may be traced from the airv inlet Ilto the valve seat 32, and if the valve 33 is opened, through the passage43 and out from the air outlet I2.

In Figs. 8-11 inclusive a modification of the invention has beendisclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in a quick releasemechanism for the diaphragm spring load mechanism, controlled by a bleedfrom the air outlet and arranged to prevent the passage of beer throughthe device. More specically, the quick release mechanism includes aslide AH slidably mounted in an opening in the stem d6. The spring 45acts between the cup 44 and the slide 50. The slide 5G is restrainedfrom moving by several levers 5|. These levers are pivotally mountedintermediate of their ends by pintles 52. The outer extremities of theselevers bear against a diaphragm 53 mounted transversely within the stem4B. A bleed tube 54 is swivelly connected with the outer end of the stem46. This bleed tube, see Fig. 8, connects with the pipe i4 which isinterposed between the air outlet l2 and the T-shaped pipe tting l5. Thestem 45 is provided with radially projecting handles 55 by which it maybe manually turned. .Y

The diaphragm 53 is mounted within the stem by brazing or Welding.Specically, the stem is cut in half; theedges of the diaphragm areplaced between the adjacent faces of the stem sections, and then theparts are welded together. The end of the bleed pipe 54 which is remotefrom the stem 46' is normally closed by a one Way valve 55. This one Wayvalve is held in a closed position by a very weak spring 51. The valvecomprises merely a stripof material pivotally mounted at its rear end bya pintle 58. Its front end 56 is bent outwards. Compressed air passingthrough the device will pass in the direction oi the arroWA and thevalve 56 will maintain its closed position.

In the event there is any back pressure and beer, instead of beingforced from the faucet 2l back to the beer barrel is forced through thefaucet 2l and into the beer return device, the valve 55 will open. Thebeer will first strike the offset end 55 and so force the valve open.The beer will then flow through the bleed 54 and act against thediaphragm 53, pivoting the levers 5l which then move to release theslide 53. Instantly the spring 45 Will be released and lose its tension,since it may now expand. vThis takes the ccunteracting balance oi thespring loaded valve 33 and the valve is now free to close. This arreststhe ow of beer through the valve and out of the air inlet Il.

The levers 5l work within recesses 59 formed in the inner face of thestem 4S'. The pintles 52 are supported by lugs 55 mounted within thestem 46.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of ourinvention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within the scope or" the invention asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our` invention, what we claim as new, and desireto secure by United States Letter Patent is:

l. A beer return device, comprising a body having an air inlet at oneside for connection with a source of compressed air, and an air outletat another side for connection with a beer faucet, a valve seat for saidair inlet .positioned to the i'ront of said air outlet, a spring loadedvalve on said valve seat, a diaphragm mounted within said body, pinsslidably mounted in said body and bearing against said valve. to opensaid valve when moved and said pins also bearing against saiddiaphragm,` said body being formed with a passage .extending fromsaidair outlet to the pin side or' said diaphragm, an adjustable springloading mechanism for the other side of said diaphragm, and a quickrelease mechanism for said diaphragm spring load mechanism `controlledby a bleed from said air outlet.

2. A beer return device, comprising a body having an air inlet at oneside for connection with a source of compressed air, and an air outletat another side for connection with a beer faucet, a valve seat for saidair inlet positioned to the front of said air outlet, a spring loadedvalve on said valve seat, a diaphragm mounted within said body, pinsslidably mounted in said body and bearing against said valve to opensaid valve when moved and said pins also bearing against said diaphragm,said body being formed With a passage extending from said air outlet tothe.

pin side of said diaphragm, an adjustable spring loading mechanism forthe other side of said diaphragm, and a quick release mechanism for saiddiaphragm spring loading mechanism controlled by a bleed from said airoutlet, yand comprising a bleed connected with said air outlet, a stemfor adjusting said load, said stem being provided With a diaphragm, saidbleed being connected With a compartment at one side of said rstmentioned diaphragm,l levers pivotally mounted upon said stem and havingone of their ends engaging the other side of the rst mentioneddiaphragm, a slide held in position by the said levers and releasableupon pivoting of the levers due to motion of said second mentioneddiaphragm, and a loading spring interposed between said slide and saidrst mentioned diaphragm.

3. A beer return device, comprising a body having an air inlet at oneside for connection with a source of compressed air, and an air outletat another side for connection with a beer faucet, a

valve seat for said air inlet positioned to the front of said airoutlet, a spring loaded valve on said valve seat, a diaphragm mountedwithin said body, pins slidably mounted in said body and bearing againstsaid valve to open said valve When moved and said pins also bearingagainst said diaphragm, said body being formed with a passage extendingfrom said air outlet to the pin side of said diaphragm, an adjustablespring loading mechanism for the other side of said diaphragm, and aquick release mechanism for said diaphragm spring loading'mechanismcontrolled by a bleed from said air outlet, and comprising a bleedconnected with said air outlet, a stem foradjusting said load, said stembeing prov vided With a diaphragm, said bleed being connected with acompartment at one side of said first y mentioned diaphragm, leverspivotally mounted upon said stem and having one of their endsengagingthe other side of the first mentioned diaphragm, a slide held inposition bythe said levers and releasably upon pivoting of the leversdue to motion of said second mentioned diaphragm, and a load springinterposed between vsaid slide `and said rst mentioned diaphragm,

said stem being threadedly supported to advance or move backwards tocorrespondingly move said slide for controlling the tension of saidspring.

CHARLES I-IORAN SKY. FRANK J. SUCHANEK.

